The rewards of doing a birdathon are many. Foremost you go birding! What could be better than that? And the thrill of the chase! And you have the satisfaction of raising much-needed funds for Houston Audubon all the while telling your friends and acquaintances about Houston Audubon’s many accomplishments of saving habitat for birds and ongoing work to educate others about birds and the environment.

Talk about a win-win situation! You have all the fun participating in Birdathon, but you also could win a wonderful prize in the process. Last year the Phab Phive Phalaropes birded High Island, Bolivar, Anahuac NWR and Lake Charlotte from dawn to dusk, and in the process raised money for HAS. They raised more than any other team last year, and won the prize of a week’s birding in Southeastern Arizona with some rooms and meals and guide service donated.

• Two days birding with old Houston friend P.D. Hulce in the Chiricahua Mountains and Cave Creek area with meals and beds provided by the American Museum of Natural History’s Southwestern Research Station in Portal. The research station is lucky to have P.D. on their staff as Volunteer Coordinator/Office Assistant. For more information about volunteer opportunities with housing provided, go to their website . Chiricahua birding trips led by P.D. will be posted on the website as well.
• Two days birding and dragonflying (!) with another old friend, Bob Behrstock, in Fort Huachuca, Patagonia, Empire Ranch, Las Cienegas and his back porch in Hereford waiting for and seeing the Lucifer Hummingbird. His butterfly garden is spectacular and can be seen at his website. Bob is an expert extraordinaire, a consummate naturalist and leader who tied together all that was seen.
• One evening owling with the charismatic and knowledgeable Wezil Walraven of Walraven Bird Tours of Bisbee, Arizona. We found the Whiskered Screech-Owl, but the Western eluded us. Wezil leads private and group tours in Arizona and Mexico. See his website for information about his tours.
• Two nights donated by the B & B Casa de San Pedro located next to a conservation area on the San Pedro River near Hereford—a birder’s paradise. The first bird seen in their backyard was McGillivray’s Warbler. Casa is located within minutes from Ramsey, Ash and Carr canyons with their many special birds. Casa offers great birding, five star rooms and great food, a hot tub and lap pool. Casa owners are friends and supporters of the local birding community. They also drove into Sierra Vista to retrieve car keys lost at a restaurant for the Phab Phive!
• One room donated at Ramsey Canyon Inn on our last night was a true delight with coffee and cakes in the kitchen to tempt us. As we departed the next morning to leave Arizona, a small flock of southwestern turkey crossed the road in front of us.

Many thanks to all who donated to Birdathon and to Bob and P.D. who continue to be great supporters of Houston Audubon even though they live in Arizona!

The rewards are many in Birdathon and it’s easier than ever to join the fun. Several expert birders have donated their services to lead a birdathon team. Sign up now!